Anas Altikriti case raises crucial questions about Britain's alliance with the UAE

Anas Altikriti, a British citizen and chief executive of the Cordoba Foundation, recently revealed that he was targeted by a surveillance operation orchestrated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This case has raised crucial questions about Britain's alliance with the UAE.

In 2014, HSBC, the bank Altikriti had been with for 30 years, suddenly stripped him of his bank account, citing that it "fell outside our risk appetite." The bank also canceled the accounts of his wife and two sons. Altikriti had previously raised concerns about the bank's involvement in a confidential database, World-Check, used by banks to monitor politically sensitive customers.

World-Check, owned by Thomson Reuters, lists Altikriti's Cordoba Foundation under the "terrorism" designation, sourced from the UAE. The UAE has been accused of human rights abuses, including torture, and money-laundering allegations. The UAE government has also branded Altikriti's Cordoba Foundation as a terrorist organization.

The British police warned Altikriti a decade ago that his life was in danger, but they refused to provide more details about the threat. When Altikriti inquired about relocating for safety, the police maintained their silence. The UAE has been accused of sponsoring the genocidal Rapid Support Forces militia in Sudan, which has slaughtered thousands of innocent Sudanese people.

The case highlights the need for the UK to reassess its relationship with the UAE, particularly in light of evidence that the UAE targets British citizens who oppose its interests. The British government must answer burning questions about Altikriti's case and the UAE's interference in Britain.